‘You are loved’: Meghan pens supportive messages for street sex workers

The Duchess of Sussex left loving messages for sex workers to find in their food parcels during a visit to a charity that tries to help them off the streets.

Meghan spontaneously came up with the touching idea to inscribe the kind and empowering words on bananas as she helped volunteers at One25 in Bristol pack lunches for the vulnerable women they help.

She wrote on several of the fruit during her unannounced visit to the charity with Prince Harry, as the couple braved the wintry weather that had been keenly felt in the city overnight.

Among the inspiring messages – all written in capital letters and accompanied by a heart – were: “You are strong”, “You are special”, “You are brave” and “You are loved”.

Before she began, the heavily-pregnant duchess explained how the thought had come to her as a result of watching a programme on television a few days before.

She said: “I was thinking about this the other day.

“I saw this programme this woman had started in the States on a school lunch programme when on each of the bananas she wrote an affirmation or something to make the kids feel really empowered.

“I thought it was the most incredible idea – this small gesture.”

Meghan and Harry were shown around the rest of the charity and had a private meeting with a former sex worker, Sam, who had help in escaping from a life on the streets.

One25 – based in the St Paul’s area of the city – helps some of the 150 local street sex workers by running services from a fully-equipped van, which offers food, first aid, warm clothing, condoms, safety alarms and a space to talk.

It also has a drop-in centre to offer practical and emotional support.

Sam, 43, said she felt incredibly grateful to the work the charity did and the visit of the royal couple.

“For them to decide to come here is heartwarming and makes you think these women are not forgotten,” she said.

“One25 were there for me when I had no-one. They helped me keep my children.

“For the women to know that Harry and Meghan have come here, it says we do matter. It sounds really cheesy but it is that feeling that somebody actually cares.”

Meghan and Harry described the work done by One25 as “incredible” and “absolutely fantastic” and expressed hope that the services provided could be replicated across the country.

Before leaving, they were given a turquoise knitted sock monkey with buttons for eyes as a gift ahead of the birth of their first child, which is due in April.

The toy was made by a volunteer from Pause – a service run by the charity set up to help women who have had two or more children removed from their care.

(c) Sky News 2019: ‘You are loved’: Meghan pens supportive messages for street sex workers